American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styraciflua

American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a fast-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 60-80 ft × 40-60 ft. It does best in full sun with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-dry soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in spring. It attracts moths, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to compaction, deer and drought.

USDA zones

5-9

Sun

Full sun

Water

Medium

Mature size

60-80 ft × 40-60 ft

Spacing

more than 60 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Maintenance

Low

Soil

Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-dry, Occasionally-wet

Foliage

Yellow, Orange, Purple

Bloom color

Yellow, Green

Bloom season

Spring

Attracts

Moths, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds

Tough against

Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Rabbits

Watch out for

Messy

Native to

Eastern United States, Mexico